The most extravagant and gaudy sneaker collabs (that were totally unnecessary)

Welcome back to the world of sneaker collaborations, where some of the most iconic and sought-after shoes have been created through the partnership of two or more brands. However, not all sneaker collaborations are created equal, and some have left us scratching our heads and wondering, "why?" As collaborations increased in frequency, say in the early 2000s, so did the occasional levels of ridiculousness in an attempt to out-weird each other. In this blog, we'll take a look at some of the most extravagant and over the top sneaker collaborations that were totally unnecessary.

1. KFC x Crocs

In another unusual collaboration, KFC and Crocs teamed up to create a limited edition shoe that features a fried chicken design. The shoe comes with two removable chicken-scented Jibbitz charms and a platform sole that resembles a chicken drumstick. While the shoe may appeal to fans of the fast-food chain, we can't imagine anyone wearing them outside of a KFC restaurant.

2. Cardi B’s Fluff Bomb Reebok Packaging

Reebok, which is currently a subsidiary of Adidas (but may not be for long), took a page from their parent company's seeding playbook and replicated a similarly OTT rollout for their own popstar endorsee Cardi B. The WAPper delivered pairs of her Club C Cardi collaboration to celebs and influencers in a custom box shaped like an open mouth. And the uvula was apparently like a Tickle Me Elmo that recited Cardi catchphrases when pressed. Never mind what the shoes looked like. While we appreciate the creativity, we can't help but think that the shoe looks like it belongs in a toy store rather than on the feet of a serious sneakerhead.

3. Tommy Cash’s Adidas Superstars

Estonian musician Tommy Cash has done some weird stuff in his 29 years on this planet so far, but his XXXXLong Adidas Superstars are from another world entirely! With 40 rows of eyelets as opposed to the usual half-dozen found on regular Shelltoes, adidas deemed Cash well-endowed enough to pull off these looooong shoes.The collab received mixed reviews from sneakerheads, with some praising the bold design, while others criticized the high price tag and lack of practicality. However, they do remain a coveted collector’s item for fans of the rapper and those looking for a statement piece in their collection.

4. MSCHF’s Big Red Boot

Absolutely Grammable, but not at all practical.. Presenting to you the Big Red ‘Mickey Mouse’ Boot. The MSCHF’s Mischievous Big Red Boot is a unique and controversial sneaker collab that doesn't quite fit into the category of traditional collabs. MSCHF are known for their unconventional projects and the case is not different here either. Many speculate that the shoe was aimed to satirize the hype and marketing around limited edition sneakers.. So there’s your explanation. But at the end of the day, it was tough not to get excited for this delightful monstrosity which would definitely turn heads and so the shoe was more than successful in achieving social media engagement.

5. Nike × Starbucks Air Max 1 "Macchiato"

Nike teamed up with Starbucks to create a limited edition Air Max 1 sneaker inspired by the coffee chain's signature macchiato drink. The shoe features a brown and white colorway with a whipped cream-like design on the tongue and coffee bean graphics on the insole. While the collaboration may appeal to coffee lovers, we can't imagine many people wanting to wear a shoe that looks like a coffee spill.

These are just a few examples of the most extravagant and over the top sneaker collaborations that were totally unnecessary. While we appreciate the creativity and innovation behind these collaborations, we can't help but wonder if some of these shoes were created simply for the shock value. Which collaborations do you think were the most unnecessary and are there any you plan to actually purchase?!